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Optimize a PDF for the Web

Putting a PDF on a website? Turn on Fast Web View so visitors see the first page straight away instead of waiting for the whole file.

How to optimize a PDF for the web

  1. 1

    Choose the PDF

    Pick the file you want to put online. It is processed without PilotPDF retaining a copy.

  2. 2

    Click Optimize for web

    Fast Web View is switched on and the file is tidied up losslessly.

  3. 3

    Upload it to your site

    Download the optimized copy and replace the old file on your website.

What Fast Web View does

A normal PDF keeps its page index at the end, so a browser has to download the whole file before it can show anything. A linearized PDF, which Adobe calls Fast Web View, puts everything page 1 needs at the very start, so the first page appears while the rest is still arriving.

For a large brochure or menu opened on a phone, that's the difference between seeing something in a second and staring at a blank screen. To check a file, open it in Adobe Acrobat or Reader and look for Fast Web View: Yes under File > Properties.

What it doesn't do

It doesn't change how the pages look, and it isn't compression. The file may come out a little smaller because it's repacked tidily, but if size is the problem, use Compress PDF first and optimize afterwards.

The speed-up needs a web server that can send part of a file on request. Most can, including Apache, Nginx, Amazon S3 and most hosting services. It makes no difference to PDFs sent by email, because those are always downloaded in full.

Your files are never retained by PilotPDF

PilotPDF does not keep copies of your original files, completed files, passwords, or document contents after processing.

Read our privacy policy for details about analytics and data handling.

Related tools

Compress PDF

Make the file smaller before putting it online.

Edit PDF Metadata

Set the title browsers show in the tab.

PDF Viewer Preferences

Choose how the PDF opens.

Repair PDF

Fix a damaged file first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Choose it above and click Optimize for web. You get a copy with Fast Web View switched on, ready to upload to your site.
A PDF arranged so the first page can be shown before the whole file has downloaded. Adobe calls this Fast Web View. Nothing on the pages is different.
Open the file in Adobe Acrobat or Reader and choose File > Properties. Fast Web View should say Yes.
Sometimes a little, because the file is repacked. It isn't compression, though. Use Compress PDF if you need a smaller file.
No. Text, pictures, links and form fields stay exactly the same.
No. Email attachments are always downloaded in full. It helps when people open the PDF from a link on a website.
No. It is optimized online and is never retained by PilotPDF.